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FirstNet is essentially a startup tasked with building itself into an organization that will create and govern a nationwide public safety broadband network for first responders, according to FirstNet board member Jeff Johnson, CEO of the Western Fire Chiefs Association. Regions selected as federal test sites already were building their own networks, which have created challenges, but the FirstNet board is making progress in negotiations to bring them under a federal umbrella.

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A Government Accountability Office report identified the challenges faced by FirstNet in building a nationwide broadband system for first responders, including the need for affordable fees, a strong user base, coverage and reliability. However, the report does not acknowledge the potential effect of mission-critical voice over LTE on FirstNet adoption.

The past year brought a variety of milestones and challenges for FirstNet, such as beginning its state-by-state consultations. Meanwhile, the agency faced accusations that its board acted unethically in hiring certain consultants. Next year will be another big year as the agency releases a network RFP in March and develops a network platform and pricing model for the service.

Consultations between FirstNet and states will show emergency officials what they need to do to use the nationwide broadband network for first responders, said University of Maryland Center for Health and Homeland Security analyst Christopher Webster. Maryland is working on interoperability management but plans to consult FirstNet officials more than a dozen times on technology, geography and logistics issues.

Teri Takai's departure as chief information officer for the Department of Defense will not affect her position on the FirstNet board, she said. Takai noted an "enormous amount of progress" last year on the nationwide broadband network for first responders. The FirstNet board is beginning state consultations to move the project forward and will soon issue requests for proposals to work with industry, this article says.

FirstNet named seven regional test sites that will ride on the 700 MHz spectrum block as the first step toward creating a national, interoperable emergency responder network. The First Responder Network Authority's board approved a resolution that would back the regions that won grants in 2010 under the Broadband Technology Opportunities Program, which the government partially rescinded last year.